Dearest Josephine by Caroline George is a dual timeline novel written entirely in letters, emails, and texts. While this concept is unique, it made it hard for me to want to keep picking it up.

Told in two different timelines, Dearest Josephine introduces us to modern day Josie De Clare as she's getting through one of the more horrible years of her life - her father has died, she broke up with her boyfriend, and has delayed her university plans. She finds out in her father's will that their family owns a property in Northern England, and Josie leaves London to spend some alone time at their secluded manor home. While exploring there, Josie comes across some love letters written by an elusive novelist to Josephine.

200 years ago in 1820, Elias Roch is in love with a woman he can never be with. He has been cast out of society and seeks refuge in his mind with the heroine of his novels - with whom he falls in love and begins writing love letters to her as a way of letting off his problematic personal life.

I found that an entire novel written in epistolary form was tiresome and I didn't really find reasons to pick it back up, so it took me forever to get through this one.

Thank you to NetGally, the author, and publisher for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Dearest Josephine by Caroline George is a captivating read for readers who appreciate historical fiction, romance, and introspective storytelling, and are drawn to tales of love, loss, and self-discovery that span centuries, weaving together the threads of past and present to create a poignant and unforgettable narrative.

Storytime: I remember requesting this book since I saw a couple of people I followed on Goodreads reading it and piquing my curiosity with their reviews. I was intrigued by the fact that Josephine and Elias' story was a full epistolary novel, (with letters, emails, and text messages), but I had somehow missed that it also included a novel. Mood reader that I am, by the time I reached the first chapter I wasn't <s>prepared</s> feeling like it, so I paused my reading there. Yet, what made me stop at first was what kept me coming back the second time. It was beautiful, heartbreaking, and hopeful all at once. It made me cheer for Elias and understand his longings better through this written form, while also having me in tears as the story and feelings progressed, yet the obstacles remained.

Josephine and Elias are similar yet different. Their circumstances (or rather, the letters) brought them together, and they understand each other, their grief, loneliness, and brokenness. Theirs is a mystery that defies the odds of time. It's the journey they needed to take, and through it, the healing they both were looking for and, ultimately, found. One of the things I enjoyed the most was that it was told in the most imaginative and fitting way. The pace, letters, and emails were perfect since I honestly didn't expect to become so invested in this story. I sympathized with Josephine and cried along with her, but I'm glad she had Faith, Oliver, Norman, Martha, Nan, and the knitting club along the way. They so enriched the story. Seriously, I can't recommend this enough. Poetic and melancholic. Bittersweet. Haunting in the best possible way. I don't think I'll ever find the words to describe how this book made me feel, but I think one of the things it taught me was that maybe you don't need to have all of them, and that's OK, so this will have to suffice.

As far as rating goes, Josephine's story is a 5 for me, while Elias is a 4, so while on average this is a 4.5 star read for me, I'm rounding it up to 5 because it made me cry twice, and that's something I haven't experienced in a while. Would I reread it? I don't think so, but mostly because I don't think my heart could take it, though it was beautiful and unique. It's a journey of healing, of friendships and knowing others, of finding oneself, and finding it in the most unlikely places. If you're ready for it, pick up a copy and dive into it. ~ 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars.

Many thanks to #Netgalley and the author/publisher for the complimentary copy of #DearestJosephine. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are given voluntarily.

The writing was original and creative, the time crossed lovers trope is always good, and the love triangle was actually fun! It fell a little flat for me at points because of pacing issues and some unclear writing but overall I enjoyed it and think older high school readers and up would as well.

"Dearest Josephine" by Caroline George is an enchanting novel that effortlessly blends elements of romance, time-travel, and historical fiction into an engaging narrative. It takes readers on a captivating journey through time, with two protagonists separated by centuries, but connected through letters that transcend the boundaries of time.

The story revolves around Jo Teale, a young museum curator in the modern-day, and Josephine Bonaparte, the spirited, strong-willed wife of Napoleon Bonaparte in 19th-century France. The novel's central plot device is the discovery of a hidden cache of letters that allows Jo to communicate with Josephine across time. This concept sets the stage for a unique and emotionally charged exploration of the intertwined destinies of these two women.

Caroline George's writing is both eloquent and evocative, beautifully capturing the essence of two distinct time periods. Her descriptions of both contemporary life and the historical backdrop of Josephine's world are vivid and transport the reader effortlessly between eras. The author masterfully navigates the complexities of time travel, creating a narrative that is easy to follow, even as it jumps between centuries.

The characters, particularly Jo and Josephine, are well-drawn and endearing. Jo's struggles and determination to find her own path in life are relatable, and her connection with Josephine transcends the boundaries of time, forging a deep emotional bond that keeps the reader engaged. Josephine is a vibrant historical figure, brought to life with a mix of historical accuracy and creative license, making her a captivating character.

While the novel excels in storytelling, it may leave some readers yearning for more historical context and detail, especially regarding Josephine's life during the Napoleonic era. Additionally, the pacing in some sections of the book can feel a bit slow, particularly in the modern-day segments, as the focus on the historical aspects of the narrative can overshadow the contemporary storyline.

"Dearest Josephine" offers a refreshing take on time travel, emphasizing the enduring power of written words and the profound impact of connections that transcend time and place. It's a love story not just between individuals but also between two different worlds and the stories they have to tell.

In conclusion, Caroline George's "Dearest Josephine" is a compelling and heartfelt novel that transports readers through time and captivates with its rich character development and imaginative narrative. It's a delightful blend of romance, history, and the timeless power of communication, making it a recommended read for those who enjoy stories that blur the lines of time and space while exploring themes of love, destiny, and the written word.

The writing style on this book wasn't my cup of tea, and I can't pinpoint why. It just wound up not being a book for me.

I was hesitant because this is not my usual genre and I was pleasantly surprised.

Thanks to NetGalley / Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for a review.

Dearest Josephine was a different read. I didn't expect it to be written in only letters, text, and novel form. I'm not usually a fan of that, so it was a little difficult to get completely into this story.

The similarities between Josephine and Josie were intriguing. I'm still a little confused as to what that was all about.

The ending was nice, although there is one thing I would have liked to seen go a different way. All in all, I liked the book, but didn't love it.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

Due to a personal difference in beliefs (WITH THE PUBLISHER) I will not be reviewing this book outside of Netgalley nor do I plan to support Thomas Nelson in the future due to their decisions of late and the lack of fiction with good Biblical values.

This does not mean I do or do not like the book, it just means I will not be reviewing books for this publisher anymore as I do not care to support them when I do not agree with the way they have left their former standards.

Dearest Josephine is a great book! I really enjoyed the differing points of view told through the letters. Josephine really grew as a character, and while the ending was not what I expected I think it served her well. Highly recommend!

It doesn't get much more romantic than a story through time written in letters. A beautiful and original book!

I had a hard time with this novel. It was in epistolary format which made it hard for me to understand. I also could not connect to he characters. The plot itself was very weird. Thus, this book was not for me.

#Dearest Josephine by # Caroline George is so wonderful!! A story that is well written and has two timelines. For those that enjoy romance, gothic English manor's, and humor this is for you!!💜🐾🐾
Thank you for the advance copy,
#Netgalley, #Caroline George, and # Thomas Nelson

While I adored the concept of this book, I’m afraid I have never been keen on the epistolary form of novels, (with a minor few exceptions; Dracula, Daisy Jones & The Six). I believe those who enjoy the epistolary format will really enjoy this, but I found myself getting confused with all of the bouncing back and forth. I found Josie and Elias’ relationship very sweet though and laughed out loud at Elias’ sass so many times!

I could never get super into this book. I felt very disconnected from the characters and from the prose overall.

I loved the creative storytelling... letters, emails, texts, manuscript. The characters were relatable. This was about how to love well, how to get oneself out of the rut you've gotten yourself into, how to fight to find love but also for your love once it is found.

DNF - Did not finish. I decided not to keep reading this title because I did not connect with the writing or plot. Thank you, NetGalley and publisher for the early copy!

𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙅𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙥𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚 by Caroline George - Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. Also thanks to my library for having it as an audio (I highly enjoyed this version). ★★★★★ This book was SUCH A HIT for me. It was a beautiful story that partially took place in 1820 and partially in 2020. It was a contemporary fiction story with a romance storyline and I can't quite put my finger on why I loved it so much. The story was sweet, but not too simple. It was poetic and beautiful. It had real issues. The characters came to life in the story to me. I just kept finding myself wanting to read more and whenever I was reading it, I noticed myself smiling it and truly enjoying the ride. I was very confident with my star rating when I finished. And then I immediately recommended it to @spglovesbooks (and is there any higher praise than that?).

Cleverly written. Interesting story line. Original. Endearing. A well crafted novel. Inviting cover art. Five stars.